State Ethics Commission and Campaign Bank Accounts

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 8-13-365, RELATING TO AN ELECTRONIC FILINGS SYSTEM FOR DISCLOSURES AND REPORTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A NEW ONLINE CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT MONITORING AND AUDITING DEPARTMENT, TO DELINEATE THE DEPARTMENT'S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO ENSURE THE DEPARTMENT IS STAFFED SUFFICIENTLY WITH ADEQUATELY TRAINED LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING PERSONNEL; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 8-13-1312, RELATING TO CAMPAIGN BANK ACCOUNTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE ALL CANDIDATES AND ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO FILE CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN REPORTS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 13, CHAPTER 13, TITLE 8 TO LOCATE, HOST, OR MAINTAIN THEIR CAMPAIGN ACCOUNTS IN A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT AND OFFERS REAL-TIME ONLINE BANKING OR ACCESS TO A CUSTOMER'S INTERNET WEBSITE, TO REQUIRE ALL CANDIDATES AND ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO PROVIDE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION ACCESS TO THEIR CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT ONLINE BANKING INFORMATION, AND TO REQUIRE ALL CANDIDATES AND ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO PAY, TRANSFER, OR REMIT TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO FIVE PERCENT OF THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CANDIDATE OR ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIAL DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD.